THEA 200 Exam 2

Silhouette Shape/outline, can be used in terms of costume, light, props, etc. Table work 1st couple of rehearsals where the actors, director, and designers talk about the expectations, conventions, and concept of the play Read-through a part of the table work; a read through of the script in character Design the creation of forms; "By Design" means the design must be purposeful, even when it is designed not to look like it is. Technical Director sees that everything gets built and put together properly and complies with the conventions of the play Set Designer scene designer. -defines the space -works with the budget provided -helps set the tone and style of the production -establishes location and period in which the play takes place -develops a design concept consistent with director's concept -provides a central image or metaphor, where appropriate -ensures that scenery is coordinated with other production elements -solves practical design problems Wagon anything on the stage with wheels Revolve/turntable special piece built into the stage to be able to rotate the floor; used to switch backgrounds or props around Ground Plan Bird's eye view; created with motion in mind Gel a sheet of plastic, kind of like celophane, that is put over a light to change colors Gobo a cutout that is inserted into a light to cast specific shadows Light plot drawing that shows where all the lights will go Fourth wall imaginary barrier between stage/actors and the front of house/audience Dramaturg person whose job is to research the background of the play, setting, plot, or culture stage manager coordinates all technical aspects of the production, runs rehearsals, and cues lights and sound Front of house auditorium where audience sits mass physical form of an object; can refer to actors, clothing, etc. (design term) Composition putting together an image; lots of things coming together to tell one story (design term) Model 3D rendering of stage design Rendering sketch/drawing of sets, costumes, props, etc. Set Dressing putting together the elements of the set (background, props, lights, etc.) cues prearranged changes for lights or sounds Master electrician person in charge of making sure lights work and hangs them up Scrim thin, open-weave fabric which is nearly transparent when lit from behind and opaque when lit from the front Production concept the central idea in which all designers are working around Aeschylus first important Greek/western dramatist -added the 2nd actor to theatre presentations who played several parts in a mask -reduced the size of the chorus to 12, making it more manageable -master of the triology Sophocles second Greek dramatist -built on the dramatic form of Aeschylus -raised the size of the chorus to 15 -added a 3rd actor who played several parts with a mask -had a distinctive structure of play writing Euripides third Greek dramatist -more of a rebel, most modern dramatist -introduced sympathetic portrayl of female characters, increased realism, mixture of tragedy with melodrama and comedy, and skeptical treatment of the gods Aristophanes author of the only surviving 'Old comedies' of ancient Greece; satirized prominent figures Cyclorama piece of fabric used to shine lights on; ALWAYS in the back of the stage Functions of the Greek Chorus told the audience about the setting, was very loud, created the mood, and modeled the perfect audience Conventions of Greek Theatre -just male actors -actors wore masks -religious ceremonies for ALL people in honor of Dionysus -2-3 actors -chorus of approx. 12-15 people Reasons for Greek Theatre they were performed to honor the Greek god, Dionysus, and were to be viewed by all Dionysus Greek god honored by Greek theatre City Dionysia/ Dionysian Festival annual spring festival in Athens honoring Dionysus, incorporated tragic drama and comedy. lasted several days, including 3 days devoted to tragedies, and had time set aside for 5 comedies. Satyr plays were performed; awards were given at the end Satyr plays one of the 3 types of classical Greek drama, usually a ribald takeoff on Greek mythology and history that included a chorus of satyrs, mythological creatures who were half-man and half-goat. On festival days in Athens, it was presented as the final play following 3 tragedies. Dithyramb song and dance parties/orgies honoring Dionysus Tragoidia root of the word "tragedy", means "goat song" because they used to sacrifice goats for Dionysus Thespis First Greek actor; stepped out of the chorus and added acting to the Dithyramb Ekkyklema a cart used in Greek theatre to wheel stuff on stage, such as dead bodies Mechena big crane in Greek theatre used to "fly" people in Deus ex Machina means "too contrived or artificial", translated as "God of the machine" Parados the scene in which the chorus enters; also the entranceway for the chorus in Greek theatre Theatron where the audience sat in Greek theatre; means "seeing place" Orchestra a circular playing space in ancient Greek theatres; in modern times, the ground-floor seating in a theatre auditorium Periaktoi pieces of scenery for Greeks that spin to change to different scenes Skene back stage house in Greek Theatre; building with a facade and columns Hamartia linked to the tragic flaw in Greek theatre; an archery term meaning "to miss the mark" "building" costumes to create a costume from scratch in a costume shop Costume designer the person responsible for the appearance of each performer onstage Line DEFINES form -straight, curved, spiral, etc. -real vs. suggested Texture TACTILE ASPECT of form -scale from rough to smooth -light reveals texture of form Color MODIFIES form -changes dimension -generates optical motion Costume Designer's Objectives -helps establish tone and style -indicates historical period and location -indicates nature of individual characters or groups, their stations in life, occupations, and personalities -shows relationships among characters; separates major characters from minor ones; contrast one group with another -meets the needs of individual performers, makes it possible for the actor to move freely in a costume; allows a performer to dance or engage in a sword fight or make quick changes -must be consistent with production as a whole, especially with other visual elements Lighting Designer's Objectives -Provide visibility -help establish time and place -help create mood -reinforce style of the production -provide focus on stage and create visual compositions -establish rhythm of visual movement Elements of Stage Lighting -Intensity -color -direction -form -movement Sound designer person responsible for arranging and orchestrating all aural (sound) effects Fade lights dim slowly, changing the scene from brighter to darker Cross-fade one set of lights comes down while another comes up Blackout all the lights are shut off at once Raked Stage when the stage of the theatre is slanted Role of the Director -casts the play -works with all the designers -makes sure the play is unified -works intensely with performers during rehearsals -prepares the action onstage -composes the stage picture -gives shape and structure to the play in space and time Broadway House 1 of the 30 professional theatres in NYC with 500 seats or more Off-Broadway Between 100 and 499 seats Off-off-Broadway fewer than 100 seats Lighting Designer knows which elements or qualities of light will achieve the objectives of the play Willing Suspension of Disbelief audience puts aside all literal and practical considerations in order to enter into the world of the drama Given Circumstances the specific aspects of the situation and setting of the play Stage Picture visual composition; how the entire scene will appear to the audience Technical Rehearsal rehearsal at which all the design and technical elements are brought together Dress Rehearsal rehearsal in which a play is performed as it will be for the public, including all the scenery, costumes, and technical effects Run Through rehearsal in which the cast goes through the entire text of the play in the order that it will be performed Previews special viewing of the play before the opening night Producer the person responsible for the business side of a production, including raising the necessary money. Property or Props "prop" comes from the word "property"; referst to any object that will be used onstage but is not a permanent part of the scenery or costumes Trap door hole in the stage that is hidden and used for quick exits by actors Choregus the equivalent of a modern day producer from classical Greek theatre